Source · Select Committees · International Development Committee
First Report - The FCDO’s approach to sexual and reproductive health
International Development Committee
HC 108
Published 25 January 2024
Recommendations
4
Accepted in Part
Continue support and restore discretionary funding for key multilateral SRHR organisations to pre-pandemic levels
Recommendation
Multilateral organisations are sometimes best placed to act and implement aid programming on sexual and reproductive health. The UK has historically been a key donor to multilateral organisations working on sexual and reproductive health. Evidence to the Committee has shown …
Read more
Government Response Summary
The FCDO partially agrees, acknowledging the importance of multilateral organisations and outlining its current support. However, it states it cannot commit to a set level of financial contribution or restore discretionary funding to pre-pandemic levels, preferring to assess funding based on impact and value for money.
5
Accepted in Part
Ensure FCDO meets UNFPA Supplies Partnership funding commitment and restore UNFPA core funding
Recommendation
The Committee is pleased to see the FCDO’s continuing commitment to family planning as a core part of its work on sexual and reproductive health, including the provision of safe and legal abortion services. However, the FCDO’s abrupt and sudden …
Read more
Government Response Summary
The FCDO partially agrees, stating it has returned funding to the UNFPA Supplies Partnership to 2019 levels (£60m in 2022 and 2023). However, it is unable to restore core funding to the UNFPA to pre-Covid-19 levels, though it is increasing support by £4.25m for humanitarian efforts.
7
Accepted in Part
Para 33
Publish annual key targets and achievements for FCDO's EPD and HSS approach papers
Recommendation
The FCDO’s approach papers on ending preventable deaths of mothers, babies and children by 2030 (EPD) and health systems strengthening (HSS) show a positive step in the right direction. However, in the absence of key targets for progress or regular …
Read more
Government Response Summary
The FCDO will publish an Ending Preventable Deaths (EPD) narrative report in 2024 with progress, and will report against key EPD indicators through existing mechanisms like the FCDO Outcome Delivery Plan, rather than establishing a new annual reporting framework.
8
Accepted in Part
Para 38
Calculate and justify minimum bilateral ODA for WASH, ensuring integrated SRHR programmes
Recommendation
Access to clean water and the provision of adequate sanitation and hygiene reduces the risk of maternal and newborn mortality. In complementarity to its approach on SRHR spending, the FCDO should calculate and justify a minimum bilateral ODA percentage that …
Read more
Government Response Summary
The FCDO partially agrees, committing to an integrated approach for WASH and SRHR and detailing its £18.5 million WASH Systems for Health programme. However, it rejects setting a minimum bilateral ODA percentage for WASH, citing the need for budget flexibility.
9
Accepted in Part
Calculate minimum ODA for training health personnel and invest in health infrastructure in LMICs
Recommendation
The involvement of trained health personnel and access to adequate health care facilities for maternal and newborn health improves health outcomes for the mother and child. The FCDO should support the strengthening of healthcare systems by prioritising investment in the …
Read more
Government Response Summary
The government agrees to support healthcare systems, training, and WASH infrastructure through existing and new programmes like WISH Dividend and the new WASH Systems programme. However, it explicitly rejects setting a minimum percentage of ODA for health personnel training, citing a preference for budget flexibility.
13
Accepted in Part
Para 50
Integrate female genital schistosomiasis care into UK SRHR programming with education and WASH.
Recommendation
Female genital schistosomiasis is a painful and debilitating but treatable condition affecting up to 56 million women. FGS is best tackled through an integrated approach with wider SRHR programming, as well as with other areas of programming such as education, …
Read more
Government Response Summary
The FCDO partially agrees, noting existing research support and integration efforts for FGS with HIV/SRHR services via UNAIDS. It commits to including FGS treatment in the forthcoming WISH Dividend program where feasible and will explore further integration into SRHR programming.
21
Accepted in Part
Para 80
Ensure FCDO SRHR programmes include dedicated budget, targets, and disaggregated data for disabled people.
Recommendation
People with disabilities may face additional barriers to accessing SRHR programmes and providing services to people with disabilities may often take additional resources. Consequently, organisations implementing development programmes may be disincentivised from reaching marginalised groups as programmes are often required …
Read more
Government Response Summary
The FCDO partially agrees, committing to embed disability inclusion by 2030 and ensure new SRHR programmes like WISH Dividend disaggregate data, have targets, and dedicated budgets. However, they state it is not possible to disaggregate data for all SRHR programming due to complexity and data limitations.